It's generally not recommended to keep most fish with axolotls, as fish may nip their delicate gills or the axolotl might try to eat the fish, but some cold-water, fast-moving fish like White Cloud Minnows or Zebra Danios can sometimes work if kept well-fed and monitored closely, though they might still become snacks, and it's best to avoid tropical fish or large, messy ones like goldfish. Successful cohabitation depends heavily on water temperature (axolotls need cool water), fish species, and constant vigilance for gill damage or predation, with many experts suggesting species-only tanks for optimal axolotl health.
15 Ideal Tank Mates to Pair with Axolotls
Very young and small individuals can be kept in standard 10-gallon aquariums. Adults need to be in larger tanks; a 20-long would be a minimum for one to two individuals.
Wild axolotls may eat parts of fish, small whole fish, and anything else small enough to be edible.
They are not social animals, and do not need to be kept with a friend. Axolotls kept in groups should have multiple hides and visual barriers. Even so, similarly sized axolotls may still cause trauma to their tank-mates.
Keeping axolotls in pairs is more of an owner's preference than a need for the said salamander species. Axolotls are highly independent amphibians. They can survive on their own without socializing with their kind. In a way, they are highly introverted and do not need company to be entertained.
Axolotls are not particularly fond of being touched. Unlike dogs or cats, they do not seek out physical interaction and can become stressed when handled frequently.
In general any fish with an axolotl will either get eaten or nip at the axolotl. The only exception I have found is fancy goldfish . The goldfish are too slow to nip at the axolotl without getting nipped back, but too big to be eaten, so it is more a stalemate.
Ammonia and Nitrites are byproducts of axolotl waste and are toxic to your axolotl. When a new tank is set up, the water needs to be cycled to populate healthy bacteria, before adding an axolotl. The bacteria perform the job of removing ammonia and nitrites from the aquarium water.
Axolotls can bite, but their bites are completely harmless to humans. Since their teeth are soft and not meant for causing injury, an axolotl bite might feel like a slight pressure or a ticklish sensation. If an axolotl does bite, it's usually because they mistake a moving object (like a finger) for food.
Axolotls have shown to be able to recognize shapes and other animals from a distance (despite their poor eyesight), and can learn to recognize their owners as well as when it is feeding time.
Their tanks require weekly water changes, and they must be fed directly, as just dropping in food will not work. Their waste also needs to be removed manually, often with a tool like a turkey baster.
If tap water is being used to fill the aquarium or is used for water exchanges, make sure that you are adding API TAP WATER CONDITIONER™ treatment to remove chlorine or chloramines from the tap water before use in the aquarium.
Why I don't recommend keeping guppies with your axolotl. Yes, I know they sound like a good match in theory. Guppies are typically considered beginner fish, they're not super nippy, and they reproduce a lot. Even if your axolotl eats a few, you wouldn't miss them.
Axolotls, unlike many terrestrial amphibians, do not require any specific lighting.
To study blood at the site of regeneration, researchers are examining green axolotls developed to have fluorescent red blood and red axolotls developed to have green blood.
Axolotls have become especially prevalent in youth culture, partly because younger people find them “incredibly cute,” Monaghan says. “They're pink, they have feathers,” but aren't birds. “They don't really have feathers,” he says with a laugh, “but their gills are feathery.
Health issues found in axolotls such as fungus, lack of appetite, curled gills, bacterial infections, and more need to be treated as soon as possible. If your axolotl is showing signs of stress or illness, the most common reason is that there is something wrong with their aquarium environment.
Axolotls typically live 10 to 15 years with proper care in captivity, though some can live over 20 years, while their lifespan in the wild is significantly shorter, around 5 to 6 years due to threats like habitat loss and predators, with some reports suggesting up to 15-20 years in ideal wild conditions. Their longevity in captivity depends on excellent care, including a suitable environment and diet, notes this article from HowStuffWorks and this article from Petco.
Axolotls do indeed benefit from bubbles in their environment. Bubbles, created by air stones or air filters, play a crucial role in maintaining the oxygen levels in the water. Proper aeration is essential for the health of your axolotl, as it helps ensure they have enough oxygen to breathe comfortably.
Axolotls are messy animals, and sensitive to poor water quality. They therefore require excellent filtration to maintain pristine water conditions. A filter rated at x2 aquarium volume would be recommended, unless the water level is not filled to the top of the aquarium.
However, in rare cases, axolotls can transform into a more typical salamander form if their environment changes significantly, like if the water dries up or if they are exposed to certain hormones. But in general, axolotls stay as they are, which is part of what makes them so fascinating!
Did you know basic axolotls remain an incredibly affordable pet? In 2024, axolotls cost anywhere between $30 and $80 — not bad at all, considering some purebred dogs can cost upwards of $8,000! However, the cost of an axolotl will depend on species, age, and region. Don't forget about the shipping costs, too.
Axolotls can bite, but their bite is a harmless, painless suction used for feeding, not aggression. For humans, it feels like a slight gumming with no risk of broken skin.